Pipe bomb found on Amtrak rails in Delco

(The following story by Simone Weichselbaum appeared on the Philadelphia Daily News website on June 12.)

NORWOOD, Pa. -- An Amtrak worker yesterday morning stumbled upon a plastic pipe bomb filled with gun powder near a set of tracks in Norwood, Delaware County, police said.

The device was quickly removed by Delaware County law enforcement officials and destroyed, authorities said.

"It was functional," said Cpl. Chris Kennedy of the Norwood police. But "it wasn't big enough to do any damage."

Kennedy described the bomb as a four-inch plastic casing containing gun powder.

Amtrak spokesperson Vernae Graham said the device was not immediately linked to any terrorist activity. But a source close to Amtrak said a similar device was found last week next to Amtrak tracks in Torresdale.

Amtrak police are looking to see if a copycat to the "suburban bomber" is behind the latest devices, the source said.

During 2000 and 2001, about 20 devices were found in Montgomery and Chester counties. The culprit behind the planted bombs was never apprehended.

Graham said the Norwood tracks where the bomb was found is used frequently by the SEPTA regional rail line. But SEPTA reported no delays related to the find, officials said yesterday.